1. September in the Southern California Garden
Each month has its special joys and tasks in the garden. Below is a suggested calendar for September. Remember that gardening depends on the weather, so tasks, bloom season and activities may vary from year to year.
Best of Show:
 Flowers: Brickellia californica (sweet fragrance),*Chrysothamnus nauseosus, Ericameria ericoides, Hazardia squarrosa, Isocoma menziesii, Helianthus annuus, Heterotheca grandiflora, Solidago spp., Symphyotrichum/Aster spp.,
 Fruits/berries/seeds: Comarostaphylis diversifolia, Eriogonum spp., *Forestiera pubescens, * Rhamnus spp., Rosa californica, Sambucus nigra cerulea (coastal), Vitis spp.
 Foliage: evergreen trees & shrubs
Planning:
 Sort/clean/store seeds collected in spring/summer
Hardscape/General:
 Repair/install hardscape (paths, fences, walls, patio, pond, etc.)
 Install/repair/clean irrigation: gutters, sprinklers, rain barrels, french drain, rain garden hardscape, etc.
 Continue lawn/ivy removal – you’ll soon be done!
 Prepare veg. garden for winter veggies; remove spent plants, fertilize, mulch
 Start a compost bin/pile for your cuttings
Propagation:
 From seed: cool-season grass plugs; winter veggie crops (see next bullet)
 Start chilling seeds w/ long (2-3+ month) pre-plant stratification;
Planting:
 Plant out cool-season vegetables from starts/pony packs: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, other greens; keep well-watered – likely daily water in early morning or evening.
Watering: major watering month for Zone 2 & 3
 Taper off watering all but Zone 2-3 & 3 plants. Keep vegetable gardens, containers & other Zone 3 plants watered – particularly if Santa Anna winds are predicted
Pruning/Mowing/Dividing:
 Sharpen/repair planting & pruning tools after summer (light) pruning tasks; consider buying new/better tools if appropriate (they might even be on sale now)
 Rake out cool-season grasses; mow or cut back if needed;

2. Pruning/Mowing/Dividing:
 Prune to thin:
 Adenostoma spp.
 Divide native bulbs/corms; store or replant
Weeds/Diseases/Pests:
 Grasshoppers can eat a lot at this time of year
 Gophers may be getting desperate
Edibles/Crafts:
 Pick ripe winter squash, tomatoes, peppers; enjoy a new recipe using the fresh summer vegetables
 Pick fresh sweet corn near coast
 Native grapes ripen – use for juice, syrup, jelly – even wine
Enjoying the garden:
 Treat yourself to a good set of pruners
 Enjoy fall blooming bush sunflowers; notice all the insect visitors to these wonderful plants
 Enjoy the scent of Bricklebush in late afternoon; sit awhile to enjoy your garden
 Buy a birdbath, fountain, even just a flat container to provide a welcome drink for the birds